Fate of the Furious: Global Box-Office Records–Or How China Keeps the Franchise Hot

Universal’s The Fate of the Furious broke global box office records, earning an estimated $532.5 million worldwide to set a new mark for an opening weekend.

The long-running series, now in its eighth installment (call it Furious 8), got a big boost from foreign crowds.

The action thriller earned $432.3 million internationally after bowing in 63 foreign markets.

Declining US Response

The foreign figures helped offset declining domestic results. Fate of the Furious opened to $100.2 million in North America, a sharp drop from Furious 7’s $147.2 million kick-off.

The franchise built around muscle cars and odes to the importance of family is growing more global in scope. If it wants to continue to expand its audience as it inevitably ticks through future sequels it will need to keep building a fan base in places like China.

China: Hollywood New Frontier, at a Price?

Fate of the Furious racked up a massive $190 million in the Asian country, setting records for the biggest three-day opening weekend in history and the top debut for a Hollywood film in China.

Hollywood studios only take in 25% of Chinese ticket sales, roughly half of what they earn in most major markets.